At first it had been previously announced by Roger Waters' management that Roger would likely be touring the US after completing his next upcoming solo album, expected to be released sometime in 2006. However, because of the huge amount of work it took to complete and release Roger's opera, it was later announced that an album and subsequent tour was not likely to happen until 2007.
In early February, REG learned from our sources that Roger would be embarking on a Summer European tour! This came as quite a pleasant surprise and REG has done all we can to keep our fan club members and Roger's fans abreast of the situation and all show dates and tour information.
Previously Roger had discussed in interviews that he was having difficulty in bringing the songs he had written for his next solo effort under one main theme or concept. Discussing one song about a New York cab driver, and other songs about love and politics. But in an interview given by Roger in Autumn 2005, after the release of his opera "Ca Ira," Roger let it be known that he had in fact divided his solo rock album efforts into two separate pieces. One album is purportedly to be about Love, and might have come about in regard to his latest divorce and family and love life, and the other is to be more political in regard to the current war in Iraq and the state of the world.
Whether Roger has completed either solo album effort, and will have a new album release before or during the new Summer tour is not yet known. However, REG has just learned of a rumor by very credible REG sources that following Roger's Summer European tour, Roger will tour the United States this Autumn!!! When this information is confirmed, this will be the first time Roger will tour the US in the Autumn. In the past, Roger has only toured America during the Summer. Therefore I presume all or most of the US venues will be in-doors.
The following is a description of how REG learned of this tour as well as the Summer European itinerary known at press time:
On February 11th, there was a surprise announcement in several Portuguese newspapers and websites that Roger Waters will headline the World Stage Friday June 2nd for the next Rock in Rio-Lisboa Festival, the same day Carlos Santana, Rui Veloso and Jota Quest are scheduled to perform.
Since the announcement of the Lisbon show, reports have appeared of scheduled performances elsewhere across Europe. A recent article in the German newspaper, "Sueddeutsche Zeitung", reported that Roger Waters will stage a very special rendition of the Pink Floyd classic "Dark Side Of The Moon" in Berlin on June 8th. The article states that Roger wants to stage a unique audio show of the concept album at the Berlin "Wuhlheide". He deliberately chose a relatively small venue, seating only 17,000.
The performance of the special rendition of Dark Side of the Moon is said to be a previously unheard "extended version" of the concept album, which Waters said he was not able to realize in the early 70's due to technical prohibitions, and will be the main part of a concert. Of course other songs by Roger Waters and Pink Floyd will also be played.
Another show was reported by the Dutch Progressive Rock Pages website, stating that Roger will be playing the Arrow Rock Festival in Lichtenvoorde, the Netherlands, on June 9th. Other artists performing at that festival include Deep Purple, Status Quo, and Journey.
Norwegian state TV channel NRK as well as other Norwegian newspapers also reported that Roger Waters has been confirmed to appear at the annual Norwegian Wood Festival in Oslo, on its first day, June 14th. During the concert it's been reported that Roger will perform classic Pink Floyd songs, as well as a complete performance of "Dark Side of the Moon".
Reports that Roger was due to perform at perhaps fifteen festivals throughout Europe this summer set the whole Pink Floyd world on it's ear with excitement, but no one could get any confirmation of these reports.
REG sources however confirmed to our fan club that Roger will indeed be embarking on a Summer 2006 European tour, zigzagging up and down, between Northern and Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, and the UK. And although REG - The International Roger Waters Fan Club was the first to confirm and to announce the complete itinerary (17 dates... now with added shows... 22) of Roger's Summer 2006 European Tour. More recently we reported that Roger would indeed continue his 2006 tour in the United States this Autumn. We will post all new concert dates as they become available to us.
Except for one of the venues, the shows we've confirmed are to be out-door concerts, most of which are Roger Waters solo concerts, though a few are festivals where Roger will headline with other artists. Set lengths may vary from show to show, however REG has learned that the Lisbon performance is planned to last at least two hours.
With both Roger Waters and David Gilmour touring at different times during 2006, there have been many rumors and articles reporting that Rick Wright would be touring with Dave, and Nick Mason would be touring with Roger. Even such reputable magazines such as Rolling Stone had one such article.
Were this true it would be a bit like Pink Floyd splitting in half and touring separately. One a Pink tour, and the other a Floyd tour. Course we all know which one's Pink? heh heh ;o) couldn't resist. Although I'm not following the Gilmour tour very closely, perhaps Rick is touring with Dave, or more likely he is playing one or more shows with Dave's band.
However, when REG asked our sources within the Roger Waters camp, we were told: "Nick Mason will play at Magny Cours on the 14th of July for the second half of the show." Thus suggesting that Nick will NOT in fact be touring with Roger.
REG was told that: "The band consists of Andy Fairweather Low - Guitar, Snowy White - Guitar, Dave Kilminster - Guitar and Vocals, Jon Carin - Keyboards, Harry Waters - Hammond, Graham Broad - Drums, Ian Ritchie on Saxophone, and Katie Kissoon, PP Arnold and Carol Kenyon - Background Vocals.
It is fantastic news that Jon Carin will be back playing with Roger again. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, he's one of the greatest musicians in the world. It was almost a given that Andy and Snowy would be back as Roger's right and left hand musicians and friends. And of course with Roger's son Harry again touring with his Dad, it will be nice to see the love and father and son pride and antics again. Katie, PP and Carol are all of course quite essential, especially PP. We'll have to all reserve judgement for ourselves as to just who and how good of a lead guitarist this Dave Kilminster is. He's unknown to me, but I'm sure, as always, he will be great. Roger always seems to have among the best. Too bad though Doyle Bramhall II is not touring again. In my opinion, he was by far the best guitarist Roger has toured with since Eric Clapton. Doyle was simply fantastic!
In addition to the June 2nd World Stage Waters performance, the Rio-Lisboa Festival will include a full line-up of some of the worlds top performers. The Festival is scheduled for May 26th and 27th, and June 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2006. Guitar fans will have a golden opportunity to watch their idols perform on what promises to be a remarkable night - the first day of the second weekend of the biggest music and entertainment event in the world.
This is only the second time that the founder of Pink Floyd has performed in Lisbon, since he began the second part of his 2002 "In The Flesh" Tour with two concerts in Lisbon, setting the stage for a spectacular show.
The tickets for the Norway show went on sale Feb. 18th. 7000 tickets sold in about thirty minutes.
Tickets for Verona Italy and Lucca Italy shows went on sale February 22nd. You can visit http://www.ticketone.it if you want to buy tickets.
We will continue to bring you up to date with the latest news as we know it.
